Pig Reportedly Seen Wandering Along Road In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Police said they recently received a report of a pig wandering around a wooded area of Norwalk, however animal control officers were unable to locate the animal.

A picture of what appeared to be a dark-colored swine walking along a road in Norwalk was circulated on social media last week.

In an email to Patch, Police Lt. Joe Dinho said the department received a report Friday around 9 a.m. of a black pig spotted in the woods in the area of Perry Avenue and Rae Lane.

"Animal control responded to the area but was not able to locate the reported animal," Dinho said.

Bob Sirico, the city's senior dog warden, said Tuesday afternoon he was unaware of reports of any swine having recently been spotted in the city but noted they are not allowed to be kept in Norwalk.

"Pigs, or swine in general, are not allowed within the city limits," Sirico said to Patch. "People have had them in the past, to include potbelly pigs and then even larger farm animal-sized pigs or swine, but they're not allowed."

Sirico said the last time he received a similar report was about three years ago when two full-sized pigs were spotted in town. The animals were ultimately located and later sent to an animal rescue in New York.

According to Sirico, the city's animal control has received reports of a number of loose animals over the years other than cats and dogs, including goats, horses, alpaca and peacocks. Officers will then work to secure the animal and try to figure out who it belongs to, then take the appropriate action.

"You're allowed to have horses in the city of Norwalk if you have the proper setbacks and property," Sirico said, "but swine in particular are not allowed to be within the city of Norwalk, nor are roosters over the age of four months. We've had people who have set up small little farms...they purchase baby alpaca, chicks, goats or sheep...and then as they get larger and as they get older, it's tough to manage because of all the waste and being a farmer is a lot of work."

According to a city ordinance, no resident is allowed to "keep upon any premises or in any building, lot or place within the city of Norwalk any swine without the permission of the director of health."